IDF Bases Open, Special Events Held for Independence Day

Select bases of the Israel Navy, Air Force and Ground Forces will be open for visitors; the Navy and Air Force will hold special events.

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Gil Ronen, 07/05/11 20:39 | updated: 20:22

IAF aerial display (file)

Israel news photo: Flash 90

In honor of the State of Israel's 63rd birthday, the IDF will hold special events and open several bases to the general public. On Monday and Tuesday, 10-11 May 2011, select bases of the Israel Navy, Air Force and Ground Forces will be open for visitors, and the Israel Navy and Air Force will hold special displays.

The venues are as follows:

Israel Navy

The Israel Navy base in Eilat will be open on the eve of Independence Day (Monday), between 8:00 PM and midnight.

The Israel Navy base in Haifa will open on Independence Day (Tuesday), between 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM.

The Israel Navy base in Ashdod will open on Independence Day (Tuesday), between 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM.

The Israel Air Force bases at Ramat David, Tel Nof and the IAF Technological College in Haifa will open on Independence Day (Tuesday), between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The bases will hold exhibits of past and present IAF aircraft, IAF weaponry and search and rescue equipment. Fast food stalls and activities for children will also be offered.

At the Ramat David base, visitors will get to see takeoffs and landings of the AS565 Panther Helicopter, dog training shows and search and rescue demonstrations throughout the day. At the IAF Technological College in Haifa, there will be a performance by the base's entertainment group, a fire extinguishing demonstration, a demonstration of the AS565 Panther Helicopter and additional activities for children.

The IAF Museum in Hatzerim will open from 09:00-17:00, and hold the following events:

An air force demonstration of historical IAF piston engine aircraft from the 1950's.

A performance by the IAF entertainment group and dance company.

An aircraft exhibition including approximately 150 different aircraft

Activities for children, including having their picture taken wearing a flight suit and helmet as a souvenir.

Guided tours, flight and aerial combat simulation theatre and more.

Entrance to the museum entails a fee.

In addition, IDF parking/picnic sites will be open throughout Independence Day, between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and feature activities for the family.

Weapons exhibits will be displayed at Givat HaTachmoshet, Metzudat Yoav and the Golani Junction. In Latrun, an exhibition featuring several IDF forces will be displayed.

As part of the IDF's celebrations for Israel's Independence Day, a naval display will be held along the country's shores. The demonstration will consist of various naval vessels, including missile ships, security vessels, Naval Commando vessels and the AS565 Panther Helicopter (used for naval patrol). In addition to the naval showcase taking place in the Mediterranean Sea, a navy display take place in the bay of Eilat between 11:00 AM and noontime and between the hours of 2:00 PM -3:00 PM.

Over the course of the day's events, Israel Air Force airplanes and helicopters will hold several demonstrations in the nation's skies. One helicopter demonstration will be composed of three CH53 Sicorsky Helicopters, another demonstration will include three Hercules airplanes, and a combat airplane demonstration will be showcase a Boeing 707 plane, three F015I fighter jets, five F-16I fighter jets, five F-16 fighter jets and three Gulfstream V airplanes. In addition, a helicopter display will take place above the residence of the President of Israel and an aerobatic display will fly over the country.

It should be noted that entrance to IDF bases with weapons or pets is not allowed.